Page 85 of Fractured Faceoff

My words faded as I lost myself in another kiss, diving deeper into the intoxicating warmth of her body beneath mine. Every touch ignited something primal inside me, something that demanded to be unleashed.

Her hands tangled in my hair, pulling me closer as if she couldn’t bear the distance between us. I felt her heartracing against my chest, mirroring the storm raging within me. This wasn’t just some game anymore; this was real.

“Please, Jared,” she whispered breathlessly against my mouth. Her eyes locked onto mine, pulling me even deeper. “I want you.”

Those words shot through me like a bullet, sending shockwaves of desire coursing through my veins. My resolve crumbled at her plea; everything outside of this room faded away until there was only Isla and the undeniable connection we shared.

I captured her lips again with a fierce urgency that spoke volumes about how long I'd wanted this—how long I'd fought against it while hoping we could keep things professional between us.

But that fucking jersey…

Fuck, Isla herself…

It was impossible for me.

With each kiss, every lingering caress brought us closer together—a dance of fire and ice that ignited every part of my being. My hands roamed over her curves, memorizing the way she fit against me as if we were made for each other. Because I doubted we would do this again. We were too wrapped up in the moment.

Time slipped away like sand through my fingers; all that mattered was this, was her, was making her feel better than any man who had ever dared come before me. I intended to leave my mark, to ruin her for anyone else.

I held her gaze for a moment before leaning down once more to lose myself in that intoxicating taste of Isla—the one woman who could shatter my defenses without even trying.

Chapter 25

Isla

Istared at Jared, his amber eyes glimmering with mischief and something deeper. The air between us crackled, thick with unspoken words and emotions I’d buried for too long.

“I want you,” I blurted out, the words slipping from my lips before I could stop them.

A wave of heat rushed through me. What had I just said? My mind raced as I considered retracting it, telling him it was a mistake, a momentary lapse. But deep down, a stubborn part of me relished the admission. The thought of taking it back twisted in my stomach like a knife.

Jared’s expression shifted—confusion faded into a smirk that ignited something within me.

“Isla,” he murmured, stepping closer, his breath warm against my skin.

I held my ground but felt myself leaning in, drawn by an invisible thread connecting us. The uncertainty clung to me like a shroud; I could easily tell him to stop. But the prospect of him stepping away felt more terrifying than anything else.

He closed the distance between us, capturing my gaze. “You sure about that?”

The teasing lilt in his voice stirred something reckless inside me.

“Yeah,” I whispered, hardly recognizing my own voice.

Without another word, he kissed me—soft at first, exploring as if he couldn’t believe what was happening either. Then it deepened; urgency seeped into the kiss as his hands tangled in my hair and pulled me closer.

I melted into him. All the walls I’d built around myself crumbled with every sweep of his tongue against mine. The world around us faded into oblivion—the anger over Brody’s betrayal vanished like smoke in the wind, leaving only the sweet taste of Jared’s kiss on my lips.

In that moment, nothing else mattered but him and the intoxicating thrill coursing through me. Desire spiraled within, blurring every line I thought I’d drawn so carefully around my heart.

As he pulled back slightly to catch his breath, our foreheads rested together—my pulse thundered in my ears as if trying to drown out reason entirely. This was new territory for me; vulnerability felt foreign yet exhilarating.

His hands moved with a confident ease, peeling off my jeans as if unwrapping a long-awaited gift. The cool air hit my skin, sending a shiver up my spine that had nothing to do with the temperature. His touch was electric, igniting every nerve ending as he trailed kisses along the inside of my thighs, each one a soft, deliberate promise.

I watched him, my breath hitching as he took his time, exploring every inch of me like it was sacred ground. His nose brushed against my skin, inhaling deeply. The intimacy of the gesture sent a wave of heatcoursing through me, a mix of embarrassment and desire that left me feeling raw and exposed.

"You smell decadent," he murmured, his voice a low rumble that vibrated against my skin. The words were simple, yet they held a weight that made my heart pound in my chest. It was about the way he looked at me, like I was something precious, something to be savored.

I didn't think Brody ever looked at me that way.

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